Middle Class Families Concerned about Affording College

Real wages haven’t increased, at the same time as pension values are decreasing, state budgets uncertainties are reducing funding for public universities and children are maturing into college age.  What a perfect confluence for many middle class families and contributing to nervousness that the lifelong dream of a college degree–demonstrated through multiple honors and Advanced…

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Why Teens Don’t Always Apply for Scholarships

Shifts in the views of parents with children aged 16 or younger about when adulthood financial independence should begin coincides with parents concerns about paying for college.    In Creative Marbles experience, parents expect to shoulder the majority of college costs, at the same time expecting children to contribute toward their education.  However, the shift in…

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College costs more than 4 years of tuition

Student loan debt is future income brought forward.  To an 18 year old college Freshman, with little experience in financial responsibility, this concept may be foreign.   Financial literacy is only part of the resolution; students and parents need foresight and continued roll-up-their-sleeves effort to pick colleges that will give them the greatest value for their…

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CA College Freshmen Moving Out of CA: A Shift or Temporary Reaction?

Since 2000, 90% more California resident high school grads are choosing to enroll in out of state colleges–both public and private.    While speculation from budget uncertainties in California to affordability of out-of-state tuition is circulating as reasons for the trend, Creative Marbles asks, “Are families and students simply approaching college as a consumer purchase, and…

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California’s Budget Shortfalls: Consider the Immediate and Long Term Effects

Although California’s budget is challenging CSU officials to “live within it’s means” in the short term, forgoing expenses today can affect the long term quality of education and how the CSU  educates students in the future. Delaying purchases on library materials today can affect the resources available to future students, and coupled with phasing out…

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California’s Budget Shortfalls: Opportunity for Improvement?

The reported $3 Billion shortfall in tax revenues for California may mean: Increases to tuition and fees at community colleges, CSU and UC campuses–expanding the overall cost of a college degree in California Continued cuts to services, like counseling and librarians, for K-12 schools. Families may have to increase their volunteer hours to fund-raise for…

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Lower Student Loan Interest Today = Future National Debt Costs?

In an earlier post, we mentioned the continued political debate about maintaining the current student loan interest rates at 3.4%, instead of the increase to 6.8%, if Congress doesn’t come to consensus before July 1, 2012.   Mark Kantrowitz of FinAid and the Wall Street Journal debate whether the short term gain of low student interest…

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House Votes to Keep Student Loan Interest Rates Low for 2012-13: A Good Move?

The Wall Street Journal reported that the House today passed a resolution to keep the current interest rate on student Stafford loans at 3.4% for the 2012-13 school year.   The Senate is scheduled to vote on a similar bill on May 8th.  Without Congressional consensus, student loan interest rates will increase to 6.8% for the…

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